Fort Lewis, WA vs Wauna, WA

Wauna is moderately more affordable than Fort Lewis, with a 5.3% lower cost of living index. Fort Lewis scores 132 compared to 126 for Wauna, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Fort Lewis can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

Renters will find that Fort Lewis has a median rent of $2,240/month while Wauna comes in at $1,589/month, a 41% difference.

Median household income in Fort Lewis is $54,902 compared to $108,000 in Wauna (-49.2%). Wauna offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Lewis spend roughly 49% of their income on rent, more than the 17.7% in Wauna. The Wauna ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 51.9°F). Wauna receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 42" in Fort Lewis.